{{short description|English footballer, pundit, and commentator}} {{Use British English|date=April 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Adam Virgo | image = Adam Virgo Albion Reserves.jpg | caption = Virgo in 2010 | fullname = Adam John Virgo | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|1|25|df=y}} | birth_place = Brighton, England | height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}} | position = Central Defender, utility player | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Ardingly College | years1 = 2000–2005 | clubs1 = Brighton & Hove Albion | caps1 = 73 | goals1 = 9 | years2 = 2002–2003 | clubs2 = → Exeter City (loan) | caps2 = 9 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2005–2008 | clubs3 = Celtic | caps3 = 12 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2006 | clubs4 = → Coventry City (loan) | caps4 = 15 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2007–2008 | clubs5 = → Colchester United (loan) | caps5 = 36 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2008–2010 | clubs6 = Brighton & Hove Albion | caps6 = 61 | goals6 = 4 | years7 = 2010–2011 | clubs7 = Yeovil Town | caps7 = 33 | goals7 = 5 | years8 = 2011–2013 | clubs8 = Bristol Rovers | caps8 = 23 | goals8 = 1 | totalcaps = 280 | totalgoals = 21 | nationalyears1 = 2004–2006 | nationalteam1 = Scotland B | nationalcaps1 = 5 | nationalgoals1 = 0 }} '''Adam John Virgo''' (born 25 January 1983) is a former professional footballer, who now works as a pundit and commentator.
==Playing career==
===Early career=== From the age of seven Virgo played for the St. Aubyns Preparatory School football team. At 13 he was awarded a sports scholarship to Ardingly College. He then moved to his home town club Brighton. He memorably scored a 120th-minute equaliser against Swindon Town in the 2004 Division Two Play Off Semi Final 2nd leg, to force a penalty shootout.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/3713901.stm |title=Brighton make it to Cardiff |publisher=BBC |date=20 May 2004 |access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref> Brighton won the shootout then faced Bristol City at the Millennium Stadium, who they beat to win promotion to the second tier.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/3750777.stm |title=Bristol City 0-1 Brighton |publisher=BBC |date=30 May 2004 |access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref> In the 2004–05 season he earned nationwide coverage on his significant performances that maintained Brighton's position in the Football League Championship.
===Celtic=== In July 2005, Virgo completed a move to Celtic for a reported £1.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/4694957.stm|title=Virgo signs to Celtic injury list|access-date=20 July 2005 |publisher=BBC News | date=20 July 2005}}</ref> He remained on the fringes until first-choice centre back Bobo Balde left for Africa Cup of Nations play. In Virgo's second start for Celtic, against Motherwell, he earned man of the match honours from both Setanta and the club.
On 7 August 2006, he completed a season-long loan move to Coventry City,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/5254312.stm|title=Virgo makes Coventry loan switch|access-date=31 August 2006 |publisher=BBC News | date=7 August 2006}}</ref> but on 31 August, Virgo was sent back to Celtic to continue his rehabilitation from a knee injury suffered whilst playing for Coventry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/5303134.stm|title=Virgo ends brief Coventry stint|access-date=7 August 2006 |publisher=BBC News | date=31 August 2006}}</ref> He scored once during his spell at Coventry; in a 2–1 loss to Leeds United.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/6205645.stm |title=Leeds 2-1 Coventry |publisher=BBC |date=1 January 2007 |access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref>
On 17 August 2007, he moved to English Championship side Colchester United on a six-month loan deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/colchester_united/6951089.stm|title=Virgo seals Colchester loan move|access-date=17 August 2007 |publisher=BBC News | date=17 August 2007}}</ref> Having earned regular playing time at Colchester United, it was announced on 1 January 2008, that Virgo's loan spell at Colchester United was to be extended until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Virgo loan spell extended|url=https://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/3014470/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=1 January 2008|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> However, the club was relegated and Virgo returned to Celtic.<ref>{{cite news|title=Defenders depart Layer Road|url=https://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/3533322/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=7 May 2008|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> He scored once during his spell at Colchester; in a 3–2 loss to Burnley.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/6963664.stm |title=Colchester 2-3 Burnley |publisher=BBC |date=1 September 2007 |access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref>
On 13 June 2008, it was announced that Virgo was free to leave Celtic, and seventeen days later, on 30 June 2008, Virgo re-joined Brighton on a free transfer. Virgo made a promising start to the 2008–9 season, netting three goals in his first two competitive appearances as well as making some eye-catching performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~1335621,00.html |title=Virgo Returns to Albion |accessdate=30 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929105424/http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Latest/0%2C%2C10433~1335621%2C00.html |archivedate=29 September 2008 }}</ref> After he left Celtic, he complained that he was not given enough opportunity (just 10 starts) and also that he was not treated properly especially after the death of his father and being attacked in a burglary just a few months later.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2379276.0.0.php |title=Evening Times: Sport<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=5 July 2008 |archive-date=6 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906113426/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2379276.0.0.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> Three years on, in an interview with vitalfootball.co.uk, Virgo complained that Manager Gordon Strachan lied to him after being persuaded to join Celtic and was dropped in favour of new Chinese player Du Wei after making his first appearance for Celtic. Those claims were denied by the club.<ref>{{cite news|title=Celtic deny claims by former Hoops player Adam Virgo that he was dropped for a game in favour of Du Wei for Asian TV|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-deny-claims-former-player-1954029|publisher=Daily Record|date=15 June 2013|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref>
===Yeovil Town=== Virgo was informed that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season and that he will be released by Brighton on 30 June 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~2039322,00.html |title=No Contract for Virgo |publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. |date=30 April 2010 |accessdate=30 April 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503155017/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0%2C%2C10433~2039322%2C00.html |archivedate=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 3 July 2010, it was announced that Virgo was training with League One side Yeovil Town.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yeovil Town move for Swansea City striker Lee Trundle|url=http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Yeovil-Town-Swansea-City-striker-Lee-Trundle/story-11336588-detail/story.html#axzz2ZFYdtGYh|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717085020/http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Yeovil-Town-Swansea-City-striker-Lee-Trundle/story-11336588-detail/story.html%23axzz2ZFYdtGYh|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2013|publisher=This is Somerset|date=3 July 2010|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> He scored in a pre-season victory against Manchester United Reserves,<ref>{{cite news|title=Yeovil find a Way back to beat Manchester United|url=http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Yeovil-Way-United/story-11352014-detail/story.html#axzz2ZFYdtGYh|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717085308/http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Yeovil-Way-United/story-11352014-detail/story.html%23axzz2ZFYdtGYh|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2013|publisher=This is Somerset|date=25 July 2010|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> before signing a one-year contract, five days later<ref>{{cite news|title=Busy Yeovil Town snap up Cameron Stewart and Adam Virgo|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/y/yeovil/8872616.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 July 2010|access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref> After making his debut against Leyton Orient on the opening game of the season, Virgo got his first league goal for his new club when he found the net in an away game at Bristol Rovers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers 2-1 Yeovil Town|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8897937.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 August 2010|access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref> He then found the net twice in a week as he first converted a penalty against Southampton, and then headed a winner at Walsall a few days later. Later in the season, Virgo then bagged two more goals against MK Dons several months later after his recent goal and another came against AFC Bournemouth later towards the end of the season. After a promising season for Yeovil, he was offered a new contract,<ref>{{cite news|title=Yeovil Town reveal players offered new contracts . . . and those who will be leaving|url=http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Yeovil-Town-reveal-players-offered-new-contracts-leaving/story-12338964-detail/story.html#axzz2ZFYdtGYh|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717085109/http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Yeovil-Town-reveal-players-offered-new-contracts-leaving/story-12338964-detail/story.html%23axzz2ZFYdtGYh|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2013|publisher=This is Somerset|date=5 May 2011|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> but decided to leave on a free transfer on 13 June 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Defender Adam Virgo released by Yeovil Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13749682|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 June 2011|access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref>
===Bristol Rovers=== Shortly after his release from Yeovil, Virgo joined Paul Buckle's Bristol Rovers in League Two on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers sign former Yeovil defender Adam Virgo|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13783593|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 June 2011|access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref> Ahead of the 2011–12 season, Virgo was appointed Vice-Captain of the club, under Matthew Gill.<ref>{{cite news|title=Matt Gill handed Bristol Rovers captaincy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14364186|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719121901/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14364186|url-status=live|archive-date=19 July 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 August 2011|access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref> He made his debut live on Sky Sports against Wimbledon on the opening day of the season. He scored a penalty in the 85th minute to win Rovers the game 3–2.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14351943 |title=AFC Wimbledon 2 – 3 Bristol Rovers |publisher=BBC |date=6 August 2011 |access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> After making nine appearances in the 2011–12 season, Virgo suffered a knee injury during training and had to undergo surgery.<ref>{{cite news|title=Injury blow for Bristol Rovers duo Virgo and Brown|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15388931|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 October 2011|access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rovers suffer Virgo injury|url=https://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7288789/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=3 November 2011|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> Following his recovery from injury, Virgo told BBC Radio Bristol that he was relieved to continue his football career after a career-threatening injury.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers defender Adam Virgo 'lucky' after injury scare|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/18802653|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 July 2012|access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref>
In 2012–13 season, Virgo played his first match in over six-months, in the opening game of the season, a 2–0 loss against Oxford United. Virgo was a regular in the first team, in the first six matches of the season, but by late October he soon suffered another knee injury.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mark McGhee thwarted by Bristol Rovers injury crisis|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20031779|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717085002/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20031779|url-status=live|archive-date=17 July 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 October 2012|access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref> One month later it was announced he would be out for the remainder of the 2012/13 season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers fear Adam Virgo may miss rest of season|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-Rovers-fear-Adam-Virgo-miss-rest-season/story-17433734-detail/story.html#axzz2ZFroe4vl|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717085024/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-Rovers-fear-Adam-Virgo-miss-rest-season/story-17433734-detail/story.html%23axzz2ZFroe4vl|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2013|publisher=This is Bristol|date=27 November 2012|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Virgo boost for Pirates|url=https://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8310289/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=5 December 2012|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> Though he had been told his time at Bristol Rovers was over, Virgo (along with Scott Bevan) remained at the club until they recovered from their injuries.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers: Ellis Harrison among eight offered new deals|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22463144|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 May 2013|access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref> In July 2013 it was announced that Virgo and Bevan had left the club, despite being offered the opportunity to finish their rehabilitation periods.<ref>{{cite news|title=Adam Virgo and Scott Bevan leave Bristol Rovers after injury-troubled spells|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Adam-Virgo-Scott-Bevan-leave-Bristol-Rovers/story-19452090-detail/story.html#axzz2ZFroe4vl|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717084936/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Adam-Virgo-Scott-Bevan-leave-Bristol-Rovers/story-19452090-detail/story.html%23axzz2ZFroe4vl|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2013|publisher=This is Bristol|date=2 July 2013|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pirates let duo walk the plank|url=https://www1.skysports.com/news/11750/8816390/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=10 July 2013|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref>
Following this, Virgo trained with Crawley Town and made a substitute appearance in their pre-season friendly against Millwall.<ref>{{cite news|title=Youthful Reds lose to Millwall |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/10546831.Youthful_Reds_lose_to_Millwall/ |publisher=The Argus |date=13 July 2013 |accessdate=4 August 2013}}</ref>
==International career== Born and raised in Brighton in southern England, Virgo qualified to play for either England or Scotland. He was selected twice by Scotland at B international level.<ref>[http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?curpageid=482 FUTURE CUP 2005] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701214004/http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?curpageid=482 |date=1 July 2008 }}, Scottish Football Association</ref>
==Post-playing career== Virgo now commentates for National League games on TNT Sport.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://insidersport.com/2020/12/22/bt-sport-renews-vanarama-national-league-rights-deal/|title=BT Sport renews Vanarama National League rights deal|last=Orme-Claye|first=Ted|date=22 December 2020|work=Insider Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=BT Sports pundit Adam Virgo says Southend United boss Kevin Maher should be manager of the year |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19924985.bt-sports-pundit-adam-virgo-says-southend-united-boss-kevin-maher-manager-year/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Echo |language=en}}</ref>
==Honours== '''Brighton & Hove Albion'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.Coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerLeagueOnePlayoff.html |title=Division Two (League One) Play-Off Finalists |work=Coludaybyday.co.uk}}</ref> *Football League Second Division: 2001–02; play-offs: 2004<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/3750777.stm |title=Bristol City 0–1 Brighton |website=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2004 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> *Football League Third Division: 2000–01
'''Celtic''' *Scottish Premier League: 2005–06 *Scottish League Cup: 2005–06
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080828200327/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10433~10095,00.html Adam Virgo player profile] at seagulls.co.uk *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110717011518/http://www.cu-fc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10424~10095,00.html Adam Virgo player profile] at cu-fc.com *{{Soccerbase}}
{{Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Virgo, Adam}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Men's association football utility players Category:Footballers from Brighton Category:People educated at St. Aubyns School Category:People educated at Ardingly College Category:English men's footballers Category:English people of Scottish descent Category:Scotland men's B international footballers Category:Scottish Premier League players Category:English Football League players Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players Category:Exeter City F.C. players Category:Celtic F.C. players Category:Coventry City F.C. players Category:Colchester United F.C. players Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players Category:English football commentators Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:21st-century Scottish sportsmen